25 Subtle Signs He Likes You More Than A Friend

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Some long-term partners begin their relationships as friends. Friends can develop affection for each other, which is often one-sided, but if you’re lucky, it will be a mutual feeling to cherish. There may be some obvious or ambiguous signs that he likes you more than a friend. When you start out as friends and your feelings evolve into something more, it is crucial to know these signs. Most of the time, one or both parties are unaware of how the relationship dynamic is evolving; therefore, we outlined some signals that can help you determine if he sees you as more than a friend. Read on.

Differences Between Love And Being In Love

Love is a multifaceted emotion, and the terms ‘loving’ and ‘being in love’ may represent distinct experiences. How will you know whether you’re in love or love someone? Keep reading to find out some key differences:

1. Duration: Being in love can be a temporary phase that typically occurs at the start of a relationship when there is a thrill of newness and the mystery surrounding the love interest. However, loving someone is a more enduring and lasting sentiment.
2. Feeling: Falling in love is often associated with intoxicating sensations such as butterflies in the stomach. As the relationship progresses from infatuation to love, these intense feelings tend to subside.
3. Security: The intense feeling of being in love may trigger emotional outbursts and arguments. However, in the stage of love, the couple is more relaxed, and arguments may even be perceived as opportunities for personal growth and to foster the bond.

However, the distinction between love and being in love can vary depending on individual perspectives, cultural influences, and personal experiences.

Signs He Likes You More Than A Friend

1. He is the one to start the conversation

Friendships are usually a give and take. Friends are very casual and comfortable when it comes to communication, so it usually flows both ways and starts from either party. One of the first signs that he sees you as more than a friend is if he initiates conversations. It could be that he visits you to hang out or calls or texts you often. Either way, it’s a telling sign when he is interested in you.

2. He treats you differently than others

This is something that could be intentional or unintentional from his end. But for whatever reason, you feel he treats you differently than his other friends. Maybe he’s generally more polite or caring toward you. However, it could be fairly noticeable in a social setting with other people and, thus, it gives you a clue to his intentions.

3. He’s not flirting with anyone

If your friend isn’t flirting with people, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s not looking for romance. It could mean he’s already found a potential romantic partner in you! This may not translate to him flirting with you, but if he’s mentally taken himself off the market and doesn’t flirt around, it’s a strong indicator he might be attracted to you.

4. He engages with you physically

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This doesn’t outright mean he’s touchy or anything, but certain physical cues indicate he might be romantically interested in you. He might make it a point to hug you as a greeting or a goodbye, or he might pick a leaf or a strand of hair off your clothes. And if he holds your hand or brushes your hair out of your eyes, you can be certain that he adores you more than a friend.

5. He makes an effort to get to know you

While good friends are good listeners, too, a friend who is romantically interested in you will take it to the next level. They might want to devotedly hear about your ambitions, insecurities, likes, dislikes, etc. They won’t interrupt and might ask pertinent questions when you talk about your job, your day, or your family. They will remember your crazy childhood stories and funny incidents. They will make a sincere effort to get to know you better, especially if they’ve recently come into your life.

6. He is one (if not the most) reliable friend you have

When you need help, a friend who sees you as more than a friend will eagerly always find a way to be there for you. Whether moving that heavy new appliance, assembling furniture, or a lift home, going the extra mile to show that they are dependable and reliable is one of the common signs to look out for.

7. He comes to you for advice

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We all need advice from time to time, and there are usually plenty of people willing to give you their opinions. A strong indicator that he sees you as more than just a friend is if he takes your advice, in particular, more seriously than others’ (in some cases, even if it contradicts his other friends’ advice). If he values your advice and viewpoint on things, it’s a sign that he thinks highly of your judgment, which is a major attraction factor.

Did you know?

When a man discusses his plans with you, reaches out to you for your help, and involves you while making decisions on important life events, he certainly likes you.

8. A lot of your hangouts are usually just the two of you

Whether it is by chance or design, you might find that you spend a lot of time together, just the two of you. Even when you have common friends or coworkers, you tend to end up meeting one on one. It means that he wants to spend time with just you or talk about things he usually wouldn’t be able to around others. It could be a sign that he values and ardently yearns for your company and wants to connect with you on a deeper level.

If he is interested in you, he will always find excuses to talk to you and hang out with you. Sharing a similar experience when he started liking his friend, Patrick Lin, a photographer and blogger, says, “In the summer of 2017, I had a friend that I was completely enamored with. We messaged every day and crossed the Berkeley-SF divide several times to platonically ‘hang out’. But I wanted to take things to the next level (i).”

9. He knows you well, down to the smallest details

When a man notices and remembers the tiniest details about you, it can signify his fascination and genuine investment in you. Of course, friends will remember obvious things, such as your birthday or whether you’re a vegetarian, but this friend will go one step further to pay attention to the smallest things. Whether it is your favorite band/song, food allergies, fear of pets, or family dynamics, he knows it all! This is particularly significant if the person in question is someone who hasn’t known you for a long time.

10. He makes a lot of eye contact

While eye contact is considered common courtesy amongst most people, you may notice it more when you’re around a friend who might be interested in you. He will make and keep eye contact as you converse or as he’s listening, indicating he’s either really involved in the conversation or lost in your eyes. Either of the two is a strong sign he is smitten by you.

11. He notices when something about you has changed

This can be true if the change in question is something very obvious, such as a new haircut or dress, but a friend who’s really interested in you will notice even the smallest things. Maybe he’ll pick up if your mood is off or if you’re doing something uncharacteristic, such as fidgeting. He might notice it when you use terms you usually don’t or when you act out of your usual pattern – certain things a lot of other friends might never pick up on.

12. He’s nervous around you

This could be due to several reasons, but if you find him fumbling his words or being extra cautious about his behavior around you, it likely means he has a romantic interest in you. Being nervous can be due to several reasons, but between friends, it usually means that he values your opinion of him and wants you to see him in a positive light. These telltale signs can be stammering or fidgeting but can also be more subtle, such as his choice of words or a change in his tone.

13. He puts in the effort to look good when meeting you

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While this isn’t as easy or viable in situations where you meet every day, you will notice this when it’s just the two of you hanging out. If he’s putting more effort into his grooming or clothes, it could be a sign he’s conscious of his appearance and what you think of it, or he’s trying to impress you. It is also one of the signs he wants you to notice him.

14. He compliments you often and sincerely

It’s considered polite to compliment someone when the situation is appropriate — a job well done, a good outfit, etc. But if you notice that your friend never misses an opportunity to compliment you on personal things, such as your taste in music, your cooking, and your sense of humor, and does so more often than your other friends, he’s likely interested in you.

15. He acts possessive

No friend has the right to control their other friend’s free time or who they decide to spend it with. But if you notice a particular friend is often possessive about you, it could indicate he has romantic feelings for you. These could manifest in him being glum or upset when you cancel plans with him to meet other friends (particularly other guys) or if you’ve been meeting another friend more often lately.

16. He posts about you a lot on social media

Friends post pictures of them hanging out on social media all the time. But if this particular friend mentions you a lot on his posts on social media or uploads pictures of you both frequently, he might be envisioning you both as a couple. It might also be a subtle message to others on your social media that he has a romantic interest in you. This is particularly true if he’s worried there is someone else who might make a move on you before he does.

17. He’s often the first and last person you text

One of the first things we often do when we wake up and before we go to bed is check our phones. If you find that your friend does the same in both situations, then there is a good chance you’re constantly on his mind, the first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. This is not something platonic friends do and indicates he has romantic feelings towards you.

Point to consider

If he does not think twice before texting you first about all the trivial and most vital details of his life, he could be treating you more than just a friend.

18. He confides in you

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You may find that your friend confides things to you that are extremely personal or sensitive to him. These could include fears, trauma, secrets, hopes, and dreams. If you find yourself on the receiving end of this communication, it shows that he trusts you beyond what he would trust “just a friend” with and feels comfortable telling you these things. These are signs he loves you secretly and indicates he has strong feelings for you, and not necessarily in a platonic way.

19. His family is polite to you

Family can be some of the key people we confide in. Whether it is a sibling or a parent, we all need someone we can talk to. If he hasn’t yet been able to tell his other friends or you about how he feels directly, chances are he’s confided in his family, especially if he’s got long-term intentions for your relationship. This will result in them treating you more like a family member and close friend, and you might notice this is more noticeable with you than your other common friends.

20. He avoids the dating question

Many people may ask your friend if he’s interested in someone or why he isn’t dating someone. While many factors come into play here, such as time, mental space, and finding the right partner, there could be another more obvious factor — you.

This is especially clear if his answers to these questions are all vague or deflecting. He may simply be trying to avoid admitting he’s waiting for something to click with, so he can eventually date you.

21. He tries to make you happy whenever you’re with him

One of the ways we try to woo someone we like is by making sure they have a great time around us. This makes one subconsciously and actively associate that person with a good time. If he is always keeping it fun and light, playfully teasing you, cracking jokes, smiling, and cheering you up, it is one of the biggest signs a friend likes you romantically.

22. He follows all your social media updates

In the digital age, an indication of romantic affection is to constantly keep track of what the person you’re interested in is doing. If you’re particularly active on social media, and you find him watching, liking, and commenting on your posts, usually soon after you post them, it can be another sign that you’re always on his mind even when you’re not around. Friends can do the same thing, but you’ll be able to tell from the frequency and time of his social media engagement whether this interest is platonic or something more.

23. He starts to pick up hobbies and interests that align with yours

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If your friend suddenly develops interests in the same things you like, it is an obvious indicator that he likes you and sees you as more than a friend. A shared interest or hobby, such as music, activities, and cuisines, gives you more reason to hang out and more to talk about when you meet. After all, what better way to gain your affection than ordering your favorite cuisine while watching your favorite movie?

24. Other friends ask if anything is going on between you two

If you’re picking up on the above signs from him, it’s likely that your friends have noticed them as well. Your best/ close friends will likely outright ask you if something is going on between you both or ask you if he’s confessed any attraction towards you. While these are just expressions of curiosity and don’t mean anything by themselves, it does validate your suspicions that you aren’t the only one who thinks your friend is more than just besotted with you.

25. He tells you in some form or the other

Different people have different approaches to this. He may use oblique statements such as “I wish I could find someone like you to date” or “I could never date someone who doesn’t have your qualities.” He may also just outright tell you he’d want to date you and that he feels strongly about you. How or if he tells you depends on the nature of your relationship and how open your friend is. Either way, at this point, there’s no second-guessing it, as you know for sure.

Understanding Body Language

To understand whether someone likes you romantically, there are more subtle signs to look for outside the more obvious ones. Here are some body language cues you might want to consider:

1. He maintains eye contact with you for long periods.
2. He mirrors your gestures, movements, way of speaking, and actions.
3. He often smiles at you, and his pupils may be more dilated than usual.
4. He leans forward toward you when speaking and looks directly at you.
5. He might blush or become embarrassed when there is accidental contact between you.
6. He may also appear slightly breathless when you are around.
7. He keeps finding reasons to touch you in a flirty way.
8. He often walks right beside you, even when you are in a group.

Do remember

Although you may feel he is totally into you, take ample time to know his feelings and trust your instincts to make the best decision.

When someone develops romantic feelings for a friend they have known well, it’s often because they have grown to appreciate and accept that person for who they are, rather than being driven by infatuation or attraction to their physical appearance or charming personality. However, the fear of rejection or the risk of losing a good friend can make it challenging to express these feelings. If you notice signs that your friend may have deeper feelings for you, it may be worth considering and even reciprocating. It’s essential to carefully analyze these cues before making any assumptions to avoid misunderstandings that could harm your friendship in the long run.

Infographic: What To Do To Make Him Like You More Than A Friend?

If you have discovered that a guy shows interest in being more than a friend to you, and you feel a liking towards him, too, it is time to take your association to the next level. Our infographic guides you with helpful tips to make him like you more than a friend and fall in love with you.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Subtle Signs He Likes You More Than A Friend

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Do you know if he sees you more than a friend? Take a look at this video where you can discover 10 subtle signs that could indicate he’s interested in you romantically!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Shreshtha DharM.A, M.Phil

Shreshtha Dhar is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with a professional experience of around seven years. Presently, she operates her private practice, Thought Craft, based out of Kolkata. She has special interest in the emotional and behavioral issues of both children and adults.

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